Austin Public Health has rolled out the 2025 Community Health Assessment for Austin-Travis County, laying down the facts about local health challenges. Housing instability, mental health distress, and a slew of other issues are on the frontline affecting residents of the city, per the released data. "These assessments are essential to identifying needs in our community and how best to address them," City Manager TC Broadnax said, as reported by the City of Austin.
The assessment highlights several pressing concerns. Young people, caregivers, and low-income families continue to face barriers to timely, affordable, and culturally responsive mental health care. Residents with unstable housing struggle to manage chronic conditions or maintain basic wellness. Economic pressures — compounded by childcare costs — weigh heavily on parents balancing young children and inflexible work schedules. Food insecurity also remains persistent, with the greatest impact on children and communities of color.
Substance use and overdose deaths also remain a concern. While recent data shows a modest decline — particularly in fentanyl-related cases — the demand for consistent recovery services and preventive support is still significant. Healthcare access continues to fall short as well. Residents in East and Southeast Austin, unincorporated areas, and those without insurance often struggle with high costs, limited providers, and transportation barriers that leave many managing their health largely on their own, as per the City of Austin.
In response to these findings, Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes acknowledged the uphill battle. "The needs of our community continue to evolve as we see rising issues with opioids, stress and just finding healthy food to eat," Dr. Walkes told the City of Austin. This assessment, conducted shoulder-to-shoulder with numerous community partners like Ascension and UTHealth School of Public Health, not only underlines what's holding back a healthier Austin-Travis County, but it also feeds directly into Austin Public Health's re-accreditation with the Public Health Accreditation Board, maintaining standards for service quality and performance. "These assessments give us a clear call to action," said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup.
